The Importance of Austria to Hitler

Summary: Analyzes Hitler's 'invitation' to Austria in 1938. Describes why the country was so important to the plans of the German dictator.

The occupation of Austria by Hitler in 1938 was yet another huge victory for Hitler in creating his dream of the Anschluss, the political integration of the two German speaking peoples, and also in revising the terms of the treaty of Versailles which forbid the union of Germany and Austria.

Hitler had tried to occupy Austria unsuccessfully in 1934, due to the intervention of Mussolini, but by 1938 the chances of success were very much improved. The chancellor of Austria in 1938 was Kurt Von Schuschnigg who realising that the threat to Austrian independence travelled to meet Hitler at Berchtesgaden. Hitler abused and bullied him into agreeing to give the Austrian Nazis complete freedom and to appoint Seyss-Inquart (leading Austrian Nazi) to the important position of Minister of the Interior with control over the police. He also passed the control of Austrian foreign policy into Nazi hands.